Pennsylvania's reported covid-19 cases, positivity rate both spike

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported 1,160 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the commonwealth’s total to 136,711.

That’s the largest batch of cases reported in a single day since July 28. Allegheny County reported 105 of those cases, Philadelphia added 257 and York had 128 new cases.

The day’s positivity rate, which had recently been on the decline, rose to 7.61%, its highest since May 26.

The state had 20 new deaths reported for a total of 7,732 attributed to covid-19. Of the 20 newly reported deaths, one was from July, 18 were from August and one was from September.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows:

Approximately 1% are ages 0-4

Nearly 2% are ages 5-12

Approximately 4% are ages 13-18

Nearly 11% are ages 19-24

Approximately 37% are ages 25-49

About 22% are ages 50-64

Approximately 23% are ages 65 or older.

There are 21,198 resident cases of covid-19 in nursing and personal care homes and an additional 4,553 cases among employees. Of Pennsylvania’s total deaths, 5,218 have occurred in residents from these facilities.